As a filmmaker, I feel a responsibility to send a worthy message of acceptance and equality, kicking open diversity’s door — welcoming all. It’s more than okay to be different. Uniqueness is our superpower. It should be embraced. It’s in our own individuality that an ever-evolving, well-rounded society not only grows, but thrives. Be a warrior of love. Not a killer of hate. You will never convince me that any human being is lesser than another. There is no racism or judgement in love.
As a part of our series called “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became a Filmmaker,” I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Bill McAdams, Jr.
Bill McAdams, Jr. was a self-proclaimed “jock who did drama” before heading to Hollywood to work in films. He couldn’t afford film school, so he gained “hands on” experience by working with various Academy Award-winning actors, writers, directors and cinematographers such as Steven Spielberg, David Lynch and Francis Ford Coppola. He learned how to direct and act as a stand-in for Matt Damon on such films as The Rainmaker, Good Will Hunting, Rounders and Dogma.
Today, Bill has carved out quite an impressive resume as a filmmaker. His latest film, Bully High, is a thought-provoking film that tackles some of today’s more prevalent and controversial issues such as religious prejudice, sexual orientation, and bullying. Now streaming on Amazon Prime and Tubi, Bully High centers around a Pakistani exchange student who gets bullied for wearing her Hijab. The movie also tells the story of a Christian lesbian who fights to strip away stereotypes and stand up for her right to live in peace.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit of the ‘backstory’ of how you grew up?
I was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up the son of a teacher and former professional athlete. We had just enough money. I was the oldest of four and humble. We went to Catholic mass every Sunday until I was 24. My dad signed with the Baltimore Orioles and played in the Florida state league against Pete Rose, so sports were my entire upbringing. My mother was a flower child singer/songwriter who always pushed the arts. I was in a rock band in D.C. and Virginia, where we did the Georgetown circuit with early 2000s chart-toppers Vertical Horizon and multiple Grammy Award winner Mary Chapin Carpenter, among others. David Grohl was even supposed to sit in with us when our drummer got sick, but I wanted to save $100 and ended up playing the drums myself. Little did I know David would go on to join Nirvana, and my band would cover “Smells Like Teen Spirit” just a few years later.
I ended up in Texas after my little brother died in a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles. I had to get out after years of hanging with baby bro. Too many memories. It was hard. My sister had married a Texas boy and let me live in her guest room for a of couple years while I mourned Johnny. Shortly after, I made Gallows Road, which I originally wrote on an apple box while on the set of Good Will Hunting. Gallows Road was the therapy that helped me find God again and understand my brother’s death. It saved my life.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
I was a college baseball player at The Catholic University of America. I graduated in 1994 with a double major in Theater Arts and Philosophy. During my senior year, I took a train up to Camden Yards in Baltimore with my senior baseball picture and handed it to the casting director of the film Major League 2. A month later, I was earning my first film credit as a utility baseball player in the sports comedy film.
Can you share the funniest or most interesting story that occurred to you in the course of your filmmaking career?
I was a camera assistant on the film Princess Diaries 2. The film crew was trying to get a clean wide shot of the hero house before they brought in Mrs. Julie Andrews to the set. We were all ready to roll camera and the Assistant Director noticed an air conditioning unit in the front window. “Billy… run over and pull the tube,” he said. I took off quickly across the beautifully groomed lawn. It was a change to be a hero for a moment. I got to the window, threw it up, pushed the tube inside, and was shocked to see Mrs. Andrews in mid-change for the next scene. I quickly closed my eyes in embarrassment. She just smiled. We got the shot, but laughter ensued over the radio. Thankfully, Mary Poppins was a wonderful sport about this innocent mistake.
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
I have so many. I’ve been on film sets more than half my life. It’s a second home. Most times a first, because I don’t know what else I’d do in life. Perhaps teach film in college or coach collegiate sports?
On the Rainmaker, Francis Ford Coppola loved to role play before scenes to warn up the actors. It was a John Grisham legal crime drama, so I was the improv dummy sent in to rile up the cast. Coppola would give me a scenario and whisper some ideas. I’d take them and walk onto the set facing Danny DeVito and Mickey Rourke, with instructions to pretty much say whatever I wanted; Make up a story and make it real. It was such a rush. I got Mickey all riled up, but Danny remained cool and calm in character. Then… “All right, Bill. Get out of there. Pictures up!” I walked over to Coppola and he just looked at me and said, “Isn’t this fun?” I responded, “You have no idea!” We both smiled, and went and sat behind the monitor as they shot the scene.
So, not being able to afford film school, I put myself in a position to learn from the best and make $100 a day doing it. Find the opportunity. Lock it in and respect the hell out of the process.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Michael Viglietta was a power Assistant Director in the business. He was also a trusted best friend. Whenever I needed survival money, he was a call away. He always worked, so I was right there with him willing and able. Kristina Peterson, Shari Nicotero (Hanger). All tough as nails filmmakers. We were all a big film family. I love them all and will always be grateful for their help and friendship.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
LISTEN!
I was quiet for 10 years or so on sets just absorbing. Taking it all in. If you’re talking or boasting about how you’re only a temporary PA, Stand-In or Extra until you become a big writer, director, movie star — Blah Blah Blah — just stop talking and listen to the experienced. You’ll learn a lot and take it with you. And when you’re ready, you’ll implement and shine. If you think or act like you’re too good for everyone, you won’t make it. It’s unattractive. Humble wins always.
I am very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?
Diversity teaches. We can learn from other cultures and genders. I’m not interested in making a shallow, all white movie. I never have. That’s not how I grew up. I had black best friends in D.C. growing up and playing sports at the university level. I hung with a boy named Kang in high school. I used to go to his house and thought it was so cool I had to take my shoes off prior to entering.
As a filmmaker, I feel a responsibility to send a worthy message of acceptance and equality, kicking open diversity’s door — welcoming all. It’s more than okay to be different. Uniqueness is our superpower. It should be embraced. It’s in our own individuality that an ever-evolving, well-rounded society not only grows, but thrives. Be a warrior of love. Not a killer of hate. You will never convince me that any human being is lesser than another. There is no racism or judgement in love.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
My latest film, Bully High, is a thought-provoking film that tackles some of today’s more prevalent and controversial issues such as religious prejudice, sexual orientation, and bullying. Now streaming on Amazon Prime and Tubi, Bully High centers around a Pakistani exchange student who gets bullied for wearing her Hijab. The movie also tells the story of a Christian lesbian who fights to strip away stereotypes and stand up for her right to live in peace.
It’s about acceptance and not judging people. No matter what color the skin, what God is worshiped, sex, gender, race or age, we are all human. No one is above or below. We are all equal. We are all deserving of kindness and love.
The film’s cast of young Hollywood newcomers includes: Indian-American actress Aneesha Madhok, Cedric Begley, Taylor Jabara, Caroline Stella, Joseph Baena (son of Arnold Schwarzenegger), Monet Weir (daughter of Grateful Dead founder Bob Weir), and Moroccan fashion model Abla Sofy, among others.
Which aspect of your work makes you most proud? Can you explain or give a story?
My drive. My perfectionism. I pride in excellence. I won’t let an average acting performance slip by. I protect my actors. I gain their trust quickly, so they know I got their backs to the end. I also set by example. I can go for hours on a set. I think sports in college taught me discipline. Stamina. Back to the self-proclaimed jock/actor. It’s a daily structure. It’s a schedule. Follow it.
Ok super. Here is the main question of our interview. What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
There’s more than five, to be honest. Don’t do drugs. Don’t drink before an audition. Be present always. Don’t talk back to an experienced crew member. Save money. Respect yourself first. Love yourself first. Set a great healthy life example.
A producer friend of mine went completely out of his way to get me a stand-in job for 6’4” tall Dax Sheppard. I’m 5’10, so he had 6-inch platform shoes made for me. I got the job, but was in a really bad place in my life. I was bitter over a girlfriend and my stalled career. The Assistant Director (AD) was disrespectful to me one day treating me like a robot. I was outside a door waiting to hear action like a good actor should. It never came. The AD was frustrated and opened the door and said, “What are you doing?! We’re all waiting for you to walk through the marks.” I told him I was waiting for the word action. He rolled his eyes and said “action” while snickering. I slammed the door open and walked quickly to all the marks, making everyone uncomfortable. I let my anger get the best of me. Everyone was quiet. I left the set and went down and sat outside to cool off. My friend came down and told me very nicely to go home. It was the one and only time I was fired on a job and it was warranted.
When you create a film, which stakeholders have the greatest impact on the artistic and cinematic choices you make? Is it the viewers, the critics, the financiers, or your own personal artistic vision? Can you share a story with us or give an example about what you mean?
I make products that have to reach an audience. The story has to land with a walk-away message. When I hear a filmmaker say “artistic,” I just shut down. Nobody cares about your artistic. You have to write a script that makes sense. Nobody cares about your trick shots. It just tells me you don’t know how to design a scene. This goes back to listening when I didn’t know everything. Yes, I know a lot, but I’m still open to learning new. I shoot on instinct. I carry the weight on the final say. I’m good with this. I have confidence in me, but I also know I humbly learned from the best.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I think making a film that all can be proud of is the greatest accomplishment. It should never be “my film.” The entire cast and crew should share in the good, the bad and the ugly. Bully High is a film that I can safely say everyone is proud of.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the U.S. whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂
I have lunch with Michael Douglas often. I’m always learning from him. He’s a strong mentor to me and a class act. We both like our desserts. I’d love to meet Jack Nicolson. I also like the positive, honest life attitude of Jerry Seinfeld. Getting coffee with him would be a treat.
P.S. I just met French professional basketball player Victor Wembanyama. Be on the lookout for him. He should be the №1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft.
How can our readers further follow you online?
https://www.instagram.com/billmcadamsjr/
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
Bill McAdams Jr: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Filmmaker was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.